ANALYTICAL INVESTIGATION OF CARTONNAGE FRAGMENT FROM LATE PERIOD

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Ass Prof., Conservation dept., Faculty of Archaeology, South Valley Univ., Qena, Egypt

2 Lecture in Institute of tourism, Hotel management and Restoration, Alexandria.

Abstract

Technical and analytical studies were carried out on a late period cartonnage fragments from
unknown mummy at Egyptian museum, which was found at middle Egypt at Asyut. The structure of
the object was visually examined and the layer of textiles, plaster, pigments and binder were
identified. The fragments was examined using a variety of techniques; Optical light microscopy
(OLM), X-Ray fluorescence (XRF), X-Ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)
and Scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive analysis of elements (SEM-EDX).
Analytical studies indicated that, the ground layer was composed of calcite and traces of quartz.
Carbon black was used as black pigment while Hematite as red pigment and Orpiment As2O3 used
as yellow pigment, these showing the influence of Roman and Greek pigments on Egyptian art in
these later periods. Green colorant was identified as Malachite. Animal glue was used in the four
pigments as medium colored.

Keywords